Sorry, this has been so long; I’ve been busy. Hopefully, people will enjoy it and Brigan’s story will be finished next episode.
And as always, it is dedicated to the memory of my good friend Brigante, who I miss every day. I hope he’d get a kick out of it.
A journey over water and to repayments.
Brigan and Punicilla have escaped from Souldefiler’s tower and evaded all attempts to recapture them. As Souldefiler’s most able weapon D’eea hunts them down and locates them Punicilla knows D’eea has been ordered to capture her and bring her back so she can be got back into Souldefiler’s service. Before facing D’eea she hands her burden to Brigan and tells him to flee and find Gemellus who alone knows how to unlock its power. Nodding and wishing her well, he prepares to leave the island and make the hazardous journey across the seas to safety and to Gemellus.
Chapter 1. Tools of the shipwright
Brigan sped down to the ruined docks frantically searching for a vessel that was somewhat seaworthy. Nothing seemed to invite hope and as he searched further, the more his hope died. Catching his eye beneath the shattered remains of a jetty he ran his hands over seaweed and shell, slowly uncovering the remains of a boat. Turning to where he had last seen Punicilla he strained for sounds of battle. All he could hear was shouts of challenge, then ringing steel then silence. Crouching behind the rocks he peered over looking for signs of pursuit. He caught his breath as the small figure of D’eea strode to the edge of the undergrowth. In her hand, she dragged the body of Punicilla. Cursing he crouched lower as D’eea slowly cast her gaze across the beach searching. He let loose a breath as D’eea released her grip and what he at first thought was the corpse of Punicilla slowly rolled onto her back. “At least you live, for now” he muttered as D’eea continued to scan the horizon, her red eyes flashing in the gloom of her hood. Dawn broke as D’eea took one last look at the beach and looked up to the ever-growing daylight. Spinning on her heel she grabbed Punicilla by her ankle and dragged her noisily into the shade of the overgrowth. When she was fully out of sight with her quarry Brigan cautiously rose and resumed his search of the vessel he had found.
Now that time was on his side he looked all around for anything of use he could salvage. Putting the crystal vial to one side he crept among the rocks, keeping low as to avoid being seen. Every time a bird flew overhead and croaked their cries he would pause and crouch down to the sand as if he was being hunted.
“You need not fear,” said a strange voice of a young girl. “No one is searching for you. They are more concerned with satisfying their Mistress’s desire for revenge on her former captain. But do not tarry. I will help in any way I can” By some strange magics the seaweed was removed from the wrecked vessel and to Brigan’s further astonishment, the wooded beams seemed to regain their form and the binding ropes fastened around the beams to once again take the form of a boat. “We need to find sails” he muttered to himself as he scanned again for suitable material. “in there,” said the voice “In that ruined hut, you will find what you need. but be prepared for another lesson in Souldefiler and why she must be stopped”
Cautiously he walked towards the hut, always scanning the beach for movement. Fortune was with him, all he could see was local wildlife which for a time had come to feed in peace." In here, said the voice, “but steel thyself”. He pushed the door open and inside he saw lying on the floor many sheets of ragged cloth. All seemed to be torn and some had been slashed and cut by blade a long time ago. Brigan worked fast, hurriedly grabbing sheet after sheet and bundling them together. Again and again, he returned to and fro from his new vessel until he was sure he had enough cloth to make a suitable said. “No, not yet.” said the voice from the jar. “There is one thing you need to see and then we can go.”
“I do not want to see this,” said Brigan as he hurriedly grabbed the last of the sheet. “I have seen enough” as he glanced again and again at the ruined hut around him, and especially at the broken bed and tables. “I don’t want to see anymore” he whispered through his teeth. “You must look,” said the voice, and Brigan stood and sighed. “What will I see?” he asked as he stood immobile for a second. “The fate of this world” replied the voice and Brigan turned his head slowly to gaze at the bed. He moved forward slowly and with an outstretched hand removed the last of the torn sheet. He recoiled in horror as a skeletal hand fell onto the floor. “Where is… the rest,” asked Brigan to the air as he looked around. “It is not here.” replied the voice. “Do you not understand? Why she does do what she does?”
“No,” said Brigan. “I do not. I see no purpose in her except to kill, destroy or dominate” as he rolled up the last of the cloth.
“She has none,” said the voice. “That is what makes her so dangerous. Unpredictable. She has no goals except to kill or dominate. She cares nothing for wealth, kingdoms, all the things mortals and one too many immortals crave. She only wishes to destroy everything, and all are mere tools to her. Even her most devoted followers, she will kill without a second’s thought. They mean nothing to her. She will annihilate everything in this world if she is not stopped”.
Brigan paused as he left the door and looked once again at what remained of one of Souldefiler’s victims. “So she is in essence another Deathwing. I expected more.”
“Deathwing was corrupted by the Old Gods and fell to madness. Souldefiler does not have, nor need, that excuse for her simple need to destroy everything.” replied the voice.
“In my experience,” retorted Brigan, “Everyone has a reason for what they do. What happened to this one?” he asked. “What possible fate could have befallen one such as this poor soul?”
“The remains of the one you see are all that remains of Souldefiler’s wrath. In the power of the Blood, she drew forth the very essence of that poor child and took it into herself.”
“a child?” whispered Brigan through gritted teeth.
“Yes, a child. None are safe from her, and she hates babes and youths with a fury. Even I do not why they suffer more than most. It is indeed, a great evil and her greatest sin. She will never know the peace of remorse.”
“I have heard enough. You give this wretch too much respect when all she deserves is scorn” he yelled standing to his full height. Grabbing the remaining cloth he strode out into the bright sun. Shielding his eyes he looked upon the glittering horizon and returned to his boat. Working fast to repair the cloth and make something of a sail he attached rope rigging to the cloth and using a felled tree carefully trimmed it with his belt knife. Satisfied with his work he tied it to the boat and unfurling the sail, pushed the boat into the water. The waves lapped at the boat as he paddled it into the water but not so far it would sail away. He had one more task, as he would not survive long without food and water. Still, the voice from the jat whispered to him, trying as hard as he could to ignore it.
“You must learn from what you have seen and what you have endured. You were taken to her demon for a reason, she wanted your knowledge of the world. She gained some, but not enough. You were saved in time”
“Are you mocking me now, reminding me of my torture at Proudmoore’s hand?” answered Brigan testily as he held his knife in his mouth as he opened the shells of the crabs that were plentiful on the beach. “I do not need reminding and I still feel those damn things crawling inside me” as he scratched at his temple.
“No, but you know firsthand what she is capable of. It was not Proudmoore who tortured you. After she had gained what she wanted from you, she would have killed you. Or worse.”
“Worse” chuckled Brigan grimly as he scooped crab meat into a wicker basket and carried it to his boat. “Worse. Like what? Become of them? One of her devoted?” as he gathered empty waterskins.
“No,” said the voice. “You would have been given to the Ice. As I was.”
At this, Brigan stood up with a full waterskin over one shoulder. Peering at the horizon he suddenly lost all anger. “The Ice? What is that?” he asked, as he dropped to one knee and tied his waterskin tightly before filling another from the small rivulet.
“It is her prison for the souls she keeps to fuel her power. Deep in her tower the souls of her victims are kept in torment. It is there I was brought after I fell to her power, and I am the only soul in that tower she will personally retrieve. I am telling you all this because once she knows what soul was taken from the Ice, she will wage war across all lands and destroy everything and everyone to get it back. I am the only one who knows her weakness, and how to defeat her. You must get me to Gemellus. Together, he and I will destroy her forever and free all the souls she has damned as either Devoted or her slaves in that…” and the voice fell to a whisper. “Place.”
“I see,” said Brigan. “Well, first we need to get off this island and cross the seas to the Kingdoms. If Gemellus still lives, I assume he still resides in the Plaguelands. But we have many days of journey before us, and with luck, we will yet survive long enough to reach the sunken ruins of Vashj’r.”
“You will not die on the seas,” said the voice. “For you have something Souldefiler will never be able to take from you.”
“And what would that be?” said Brigan and he heaved the last waterskin into his boat.
“Hope,” said the voice trailing off.
“Hope” sighed Brigan grimly smiling. “Well. let us hope so” as he pushed the boat into the water and climbed in.
Chapter 2. Just punishments.
D’eea rose to her height, drew her hood back, and slowly walked toward the edge of the forest. Before she stood Punicilla, her weapon in her right hand held tightly as she watched D’eea confidently walk forward. Within a few feet, she stopped. “I have come to take you back and you are to face judgment,” said D’eea harshly, her own weapons twisting in her hands. Punicilla said nothing but stood impassively, her gaze never leaving D’eea’s gaze. “You will take me nowhere,” said Punicilla. “I am not going back” "D’eea stood still and sheathed her weapons. “You have no choice Puni… Puny…” she said softly. “You know she will not let either of us leave this place alive. if I fail to bring you back you will have killed me or I will be killed by her. She slaughtered Gia in a fit of anger before I was sent to hunt you down.” Puny took a fighting pose “Your words are as poisonous as your blades” she said with gritted teeth. “Do not think you can beguile me with sweet words. I have seen what she will do to me. Do not think your protestations of you are also in her eye will sway me. I already know what she will do to you.”
D’eea took her weapons and assumed her own pose, her red eyes flashing as she donned her cowl. “I tried…” she said with an evil smile. Leaping towards Puny she twisted in mid-air and brought her blades to Puny, as Puny ducked and rolled as D’eea’s blades plunged into the earth. The blades hissed with evil poison as D’eea arched her back and spun to leap over Puny’s advance. Turning as she passed under D’eea Puny aimed a blow at her foe, who parried with a blade. Steel rang as the two parried each other’s blow. Suddenly the two came together, their faces mere breath from each other. Looking into D’eea’s red eyes through gritted teeth Puny looked for any fear in those red-rimmed eyes. Finding none she pushed her attack, and D’eea likewise but with a frown feigned to give way. “Let me end this for you” whispered Puny as she pushed D’eea further into the ground. “Let it go” she whispered as she pushed further. Suddenly she gave a cry as D’eea brought her left foot to hold and drove with her right, forcing Puny onto a knee. Now it was D’eea’s turn to press home, and she brought both her weapons down on Puny’s weapon, forcing them to Puny’s throat. Puny’s eyes opened and she gasped as D’eea pressed down. Finding new hidden strength Puny pushed back but D’eea had the advantage. With a final push, she forced Puny onto her knees. Puny gasped and dropped her weapon as D’eea held a poisoned knife to her throat and said “Your Light has failed you” while her other weapon was held ready to strike a blow into her body. Panting Puny looked up at her captor and whispered “Kill me. Please. Don’t take me back there.”
D’eea paused as she looked into Puny’s face. Her hands fell to her side as Puny continued to look into her face. D’eea said nothing but continued to gaze at her foe as a tear rolled down Puny’s face. “I beg you. Don’t take me back. End me now” whispered Puny as she took hold of D’eea’s wrist and held her weapon to her throat.
Deaa pulled her hand back and stepped backward.“I cannot. She already knows what has happened here. I am not alone.” Above both a harsh cry broke the sky and a huge winged shadow flew overhead before with a crash it landed heavily. A figure dismounted and walked towards them. Puny didn’t need to see to know who it was.
“Well now,” said a voice coming closer. “You thought you could escape me and take my treasures with you,” said Souldefiler as she came to D’eea who stood beside her cross-armed. “I present Puny to you Mistress” as Souldefiler circled the still kneeling Puny. Kneeling in front of she raised Puny’s chin with a cold finger and gazed into her eyes as more tears fell. “Kill me you wretch” grunted Puny as she looked into Souldefiler’s softly smiling face. “Kill you?” said Souldefiler as her red hair fell around her brow. “I am not going to kill you Puny. I have something more interesting planned for you. You will serve me in ways you could not imagine in your worst nightmares” as Souldefiler rose. Sweeping her hair to one side with a shake of her head she motioned for D’eea to step forward. “Bind her and take her to the citadel. I have already summoned the hands and the remaining of the Five. it seems a lesson in devotion needs to be served.”
Pulling the softly sobbing Puny to her feet D’eea threw her over Souldefiler’s mount as her mistress herself mounted. “Return to the main chambers, you will not want to miss this my loyal Weapon” as she flew off to the tower.
D’eea watched her fly off impassively. As her Mistress flew out of sight D’eea turned and picked up Puny’s weapon. Gazing t it for a few seconds she softly opened her hand and let it fall onto the ground. Then with a smile, she looked once more at the horizon as her keen eyes caught sight of a small boat as it vanished into the horizon. Turning again she walked with purpose to the tower.
Souldefiler landed her steed onto the dais and her Devoted rushed to her side. “Take this one to the main hall” she ordered as Puny’s bound form was pulled from her mount. Pulling her to her feet they marched her to the main hall. Puny looked up with silent resignation as she glanced side to side at her former devoted allies who all stood in silence as she was marched to the hall. Behind her walked Souldfiler, her black armour catching the dim light and bathing her in it in supreme confidence of her absolute authority over all who stood in awe. Suddenly she stopped and turned to her right. The Devoted guard with Puny sensed her stop and snapped still. Puny sighed and looked to the roof, tears forming again as she muttered under her breath the only words she could hear. Souldefiler turned to the devoted at her right and stood in front of one who kept his head bowed.
“You do not look at your Mistress Zor?” said Souldefiler as she gazed at the Devoted. Raising his head Zor said “Mistress. I did not hope to think you would notice me after my devotion was renewed.”
Squinting Puny turned her head to gaze upon Zor who had also failed Souldefiler when she had attacked Stormwind. Blocked by Souldefiler’s black cape she could not see Zor except hear his pained voice. Suddenly Souldefiler stepped to the side and now Puny looked upon Zor. She started and drew a sharp breath, as she looked upon the face of one who was once thought beautiful even amongst his own people. His face was now beaten beyond all recognition, his mouth now only a slobbering maw with words being spoken by a strange creature that perched on his shoulder. Puny’s head dropped and again tears flowed. Souldefiler’s vengeance was not enough to inflict pain, it was also to break the spirit and in its place install devotion.
Souldefiler turned to Puny who looked at her former Mistress. Zor came to her side, the strange creature grinning malevolently as he did so. “Puny!” it cried. “haven’t seen you for a while. How goes the fight in Orgrimmar!” it cackled mockingly. Suddenly Souldefiler threw a hand and caught the creature, sending it sprawling across the floor. Zor scrambled to pick it, up as the beast spat out indignant protestations.
“I did not give you permission to speak in such a way to my guest,” said Souldefiler, as the creature scrambled back onto Zor’s shoulder and hugged the side of his head, dangling its feet into what remained of Zor’s mouth. Turning again to the hall Souldefiler pointed forward and the devoted guard pushed Puny forward as Souldefiler followed. Zor fell back into his position and scowled at D’eea as she strode past smirking.
Puny and Souldefiler followed the passage down to the hall where the Devoted all stood to attention in a ring around them. Puny was pushed down the the ground as Souldefiler once again walked around and faced her. She paused as a great boom echoed through the Hall. Suddenly the doors opened and through the light four figures walked side by side. As they grew closer puny could dimly see their faces as they came forward. At one side walked Senna, a twisted crown of ice and bone on her head, on her shoulders sat pauldrons of bone and wing, clad in armour that made a mockery of its former King Anduin. At her right shuffled an undead. On her left walked the confident Belios, her golden armour shining like a sun in the dark sky. In her hand was a golden mace, in the other was a great gilded shield, and on the studded boss sat a skull that chattered and spat blood at all who dared to look on it. To Belios’ left strutted Deverra, clad in dark leather armour that shifted in its texture as she walked. A putrid smell of decay struck all who she passed and it seemed only her 4 companions were immune. Her eyes glittered as she walked to the audience. At her left loping and giggling softly in her madness hopped Twill the Hunter, pausing now and again to gaze at a visibly uncomfortable devoted and with a lick of her lips making a cutting gesture across her throat. On her back was her bow and on her belt her daggers, and on a belt quiver her arrows. Splitting into two they took their place at either side of D’eea. Soon all 5 stood at the back of Puny, as all faced Souldefiler who seemed to grow in the dark. All was quiet and they waited for their Mistress to speak.
Drawing her Slayers she walked slowly around Puny who never looked up or turned. “Finally,” said Souldefiler breaking the silence. “I finally have you once again. You have led me on a merry chase. You have struck me a mortal blow. You helped one who has knowledge as a weapon, you stole from me the one treasure I value and you brought shame to my pet demon who as I speak still sits whimpering in her lair nursing her wrist where her hand should sit. You have been. Troublesome.”
Puny said nothing and raised her head to look at her former mistress. Souldefiler now stood to one side. a slayer sheathed with one in her hand, the other hand on her hip. She looked down on Puny with a soft smile as she looked at her devoted one by one. By strange magic, it seemed to her devoted that she took the form of a beautiful young girl, fresh from Elwynn. “Devoted” she finally said. “here is one who has done more damage to me than all of you could possibly do. And yet I feel she should be rewarded and brought back to the fold. Such strength should not be wasted. The Five should be Five once more” as she swept her hair to one side with s sharp turn of her head.
As the devoted began to stir another boom echoed through the hall. Pausing all in the Hall stood as another blade of light opened and a figure strode to their Mistress. Looking through tear-stained eyes Puny’s head fell as she saw the commanding figure of General Ly’ker come to their Mistress. He knelt in front of and her begged an audience alone. Souldefiler nodded and they conversed in the shadows. Belios and Deverra exchanged glances and Twill whispered to Senna. Suddenly Souldefiler swept her hand across Ly’ker and sent him sprawling and with a roar ordered him to retire and prepare himself for another attack. All the Devoted now felt nervous as Souldefiler returned to her spot in front of Puny. For what seemed an age she held the gaze of all her champions.
Then she spoke.
“D’rae has fallen in Elwynn. Do you recall that girl I took for myself after I burned and cleansed Stormwind? Do any of you?” she screamed. None spoke. “Souldefiler glowered and turned her back to them all. “So you did survive all this time,” she said to herself. I thought I had killed you long ago. Yet you still hunt for me.” Turning once more she crossed her arms and smiled. Not once did the nervousness drop among her devoted, if anything it rose. Ly’ker left the hall and could be heard in the distance barking orders.
Finally, Belios found the courage to speak. “Mistress, what ails you? Who is this one you speak of?”
Souldefiler looked down on Puny who in turn looked up and flashed a defiant smile.
“The Soulclaimer” she replied. Twill looked to Senna who in turn looked to Twill and both shrugged.
“No matter. I will hunt her myself. Now. To your fate Punicilla.”
The Four champions came closer and looked down on Puny. Souldefiler stood in front of her and took a Slayer in each hand. "This will be your fate Puny. You will serve me as the gatekeeper to my citadel. None will pass without you knowing. To this end, I grant you this gift. Dropping her Slayers with a clang, she grabbed Puny by the neck and held her up to her face. “You will serve me forever as both a doorway and keeper of souls, as is fitting of a guardian of the light. And forever more you will never know your Ascension as you are forever bearing these cursed souls. Your Seeker will see you and judge you as a bearer of undeath and unable to repent. I punish you in this way, as I want to see you broken before me.”
With barely contained malice she grabbed Puny’s head with one hand and with the other hand raised screamed to the rooftops. The gloom of the light was slowly illuminated as souls rose from the black floor and slowly moved toward Puny. Puny watched them in horror and dread, her eyes widening as the souls one by one entered her, each time one did she screamed and tried to break free from Souldefiler’s iron hold.
“Know me as the Souldefiler Punicilla, and know why I was given the name and kept it!”
The last soul entered Puny, and with a heart-wrenching cry, she fell forward clutching at the cold black floor. Tears falling freely she begged Souldefiler to kill her, but she knew it was worthless to try.
This was to be her ultimate punishment for defiance of the Souldefiler.
(Edited for grammar and spelling)